Between filing tax returns and performing financial statement audits, the ADKF family also looks for new and rewarding ways to give back to our clients and serve our community throughout the year. ADKF has an appointed Volunteer Commiteee who work to plan a variety of philanthropic events. These events allow our staff, from multiple departments, the opportunity to come together to deepen the relationships with our nonprofit clients.
The committee is always thinking of diverse ways to volunteer our time, from hosting a full day of summer camp for the children at Boysville, to running 5k races for causes that are important to the ADKF family. In the past, during the holiday season, we have come together to wrap presents for the kids at The Children's Shelter, adopted families in need to ensure they wake up to gifts on Christmas morning, and donated to the San Antonio CPA Society's (SACPA) Blue Santa Toy Drive. The variety of events hosted by the committee, which our employees take part in, leave lasting memories for all those involved and a positive impact in our community.
At the start of 2020, the committee met to brainstorm and develop plans for the anticipated volunteer events, which also included a handful of alternatives; however, none of those alternatives considered the unexcepted pandemic that impacted the United States in the beginning of March. Almost all our employees transitioned into a work-from-home phase and began adjusting to a remote work lifestyle. As the firm and the rest of the world began figuring out how to operate in these new, unchartered waters, the Volunteer Committee knew they had to do the same.
The committee developed a safe and creative way to get the firm involved and continue our tradition of active participation in the community. For our summer volunteer event, we decided to partner with the Animal Defense League (ADL). ADL is a is a true no-kill shelter for abandoned, abused, or neglected dogs and cats and provides programs and services that strengthen the bond between animals and people. Our committee created surveys for each department that included pictures and descriptions of the dogs & cats available for sponsorship. This gave all staff the opportunity to cast votes on which furry pets they would like ADKF to ultimately sponsor. By sponsoring these animals, we are helping fund the fees for heartworm testing, spay/neutering, microchipping, any other additional medical care the animals may need while waiting for their forever homes.
Kelsie Burdett, Tax Senior and member of the Volunteer Committee said that
"COVID-19 definitely put a kink in our plans and goals for serving our community this year but so many non-profits have adapted to the new social distancing guidelines by offering virtual ways to support their missions. ADL was no exception and when we discovered that we could sponsor dogs and cats virtually, the Volunteer Committee knew we had to jump on this opportunity!"
Anette Flores, Audit Manager said,
"ADKF has always been actively involved in volunteering with our community's nonprofit organizations. Even though COVID-19 has halted our plans to physically be out participating in events, it was great that the Volunteer Committee planned a virtual event for us to give back to a great organization. And I couldn't be happier that our event benefits the fur babies in need of ‘furever' homes."
Courtney Charbula, Tax Staff said,
"It was a nice break from a busy tax day to assist ADKF in selecting adorable animals to sponsor. As we hear and see what our sponsored animals are experiencing, it gives us as individuals and as a firm, a push to help find the animals new homes, along with other animals that are in the same situation."
ADL continues to give ADKF updates on our sponsored animals while in their care, and we are all anxiously awaiting the day we receive notice that our sponsored pets have been adopted and taken to their forever homes. If you or anyone you know is looking for a furry addition, follow this link https://adltexas.org/pets/ to see all the dogs and cats currently available for adoption. You can also check out the cute and furry winners of the ADKF 2020 ADL Sponsorship Event below!